1 Chronicles 29

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 29

1¶ Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, [is yet] young and tender, and the work [is] great: for the palace [is] not for man, but for the LORD God.

2Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for [things to be made] of gold, and the silver for [things] of silver, and the brass for [things] of brass, the iron for [things] of iron, and wood for [things] of wood; onyx stones, and [stones] to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

3Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, [which] I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

4[Even] three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses [withal]:

5The gold for [things] of gold, and the silver for [things] of silver, and for all manner of work [to be made] by the hands of artificers. And who [then] is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?

6Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,

7And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.

8And they with whom [precious] stones were found gave [them] to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.

9Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

10¶ Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

11Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all.

13Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

14But who [am] I, and what [is] my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things [come] of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

15For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.

16O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name [cometh] of thine hand, and [is] all thine own.

17I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

18O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

19And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all [these things], and to build the palace, [for] the which I have made provision.

20And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

21And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, [even] a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, [and] a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

22And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed [him] unto the LORD [to be] the chief governor, and Zadok [to be] priest.

23¶ Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

24And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

25And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him [such] royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

26Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.

27And the time that he reigned over Israel [was] forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three [years] reigned he in Jerusalem.

28And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

29Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

30With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King David, nearing the end of his reign, encourages the congregation to contribute to the temple building, highlighting Solomon's youth and the work's divine purpose. He and the leaders offer vast quantities of materials willingly, leading to great rejoicing among the people. David then offers a profound prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God's ultimate ownership of all wealth and power, before Solomon is formally established as king.

Medium Summary

King David addresses the congregation, emphasizing that his son Solomon, chosen by God, is young for the immense task of building the temple, which is for the LORD. David details his own extensive personal contributions of gold, silver, and precious stones, then challenges the leaders and people to offer willingly. The chiefs, princes, and people respond with overwhelming generosity, causing great joy among all, including David. David then leads a magnificent prayer, blessing God as the source of all greatness, power, riches, and honour, acknowledging that all their offerings came from God's own hand. He prays for the people's continued devotion and for Solomon to have a perfect heart to keep God's commandments. Following this, the congregation blesses the LORD, offers numerous sacrifices, and joyfully celebrates. Solomon is then formally established as king, sitting on the throne of the LORD, and is greatly magnified by God in the sight of all Israel.

Long Summary

In 1 Chronicles 29, King David convenes the entire congregation to address the monumental task of building the temple, emphasizing that his son Solomon, chosen by God for this work, is still young and tender. David declares that the "palace" is not for man but for the LORD God, underscoring its sacred purpose. He then reveals the immense personal preparations he has made, contributing vast quantities of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and precious stones from his own wealth, beyond what he had already gathered. David challenges the people to follow his example and consecrate their service and offerings to the LORD. In response, the chief fathers, princes, captains, and rulers willingly offer an extraordinary abundance of gold, silver, brass, iron, and precious stones for the temple's service. This widespread, heartfelt generosity brings great rejoicing to the people and to David himself. David then leads the congregation in a powerful prayer of blessing and thanksgiving to the LORD. He extols God's greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty, affirming that all in heaven and earth belongs to Him, and that He is exalted as head over all. David acknowledges that both riches and honour come from God, and that it is God who grants power, might, and the ability to make great. Humbly, he questions who he and his people are to be able to offer so willingly, declaring that all things come from God and that they have merely given back what was already His. He reminds God that they are but strangers and sojourners, whose days are fleeting. David prays that God would keep this spirit of devotion forever in the hearts of His people and prepare Solomon's heart to obey His commandments and build the temple. The congregation then blesses the LORD, bows down in worship, and offers numerous burnt offerings and sacrifices, celebrating with great gladness. Finally, Solomon is formally anointed and enthroned as king, sitting on the "throne of the LORD," and God magnifies him exceedingly, granting him unparalleled royal majesty. The chapter concludes by noting David's forty-year reign, his death in a good old age, full of riches and honour, and the historical records of his acts.

Core Concepts

  • Willing OfferingsThe chapter highlights the spontaneous and joyful generosity of King David, the leaders, and the people, who willingly contribute vast amounts of precious materials for the building of the Lord's house. This offering is characterized by a "perfect heart" and brings great rejoicing.
  • Divine Sovereignty over WealthDavid's prayer profoundly acknowledges that all riches and honour come from God, and that everything in heaven and earth belongs to Him. He emphasizes that the people's ability to give willingly is itself a gift from God, as they are merely returning what is already His.
  • Solomon's EnthronementThe chapter culminates in the formal establishment of Solomon as king, sitting on the "throne of the LORD." This event, accompanied by sacrifices and celebration, signifies God's blessing and the transfer of royal authority from David to his chosen successor.
  • David's Legacy and FarewellDavid's final public address and prayer serve as a testament to his devotion and leadership, culminating his reign with a focus on God's glory and the future of the temple. His death is noted as occurring in a "good old age, full of days, riches, and honour," marking the end of his significant reign.
  • The Temple's Divine PurposeDavid explicitly states that the "palace" to be built is "not for man, but for the LORD God." This underscores the sacred and divine nature of the temple project, setting it apart as a dwelling place for God's name, not merely a human construction.
  • Perfect HeartDavid prays for himself and the people to offer with an "uprightness of heart" and for Solomon to be given a "perfect heart" to keep God's commandments. This concept emphasizes the internal disposition of sincerity and devotion required in serving God.